Sheet-metal casing for drainage culverts, conduits, screens, wells, &amp;c.



A. SMITH. SHEET METAL GASING FOE DRAINAGE GULVERTS, GONDUITS, SCREENS, WELLS, &u. APPLICATION I'ILED MAB. 18,1912.

1,055,674, Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M TL. I 6mm;

A. SMITH. SHEET METAL CASING FOB. DRAINAGE GULVBRTS, GONDUITS, SCREENS, WELLS, &0. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16,1912.

1,055,674. Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W se

A. SMITH. SHEET METAL CASING FOR DRAINAGE GULVERTS, GONDUITS, scREENs, WELLS, m.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.- 16,1912.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. SMITH.

SHEET METAL CASING FOR DRAINAGE OULVERTS, GONDUITS, SCREENS, WELLS, Kw.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.16,1912.

Patented Mar. 11, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 Zlmwvboz 410. 6m iZ/1 Y STATES ANDREW SMITH,

PATE T 0mm,

OFSAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, Assreivon r0 sMIrII METAL, rnnro- RATING COMPANY, or SAN iuA'rro, cALIronNIA.

I SHEET-METAL CASING r03. DRAINAGE GULVERTS, ooNnnIr's, scn'nnns, WEI-Ls, &o.

Mateo, in the county of San Mateo and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Metal Cas- This invention relates to metal casings for the linings of water and oil wells and which may also be used for drain tiles, culverts,

1 andv irrigating tiles or conduits for sub-irrigation; My; present invention relates particularly to corrugated casings for the above mentioned purposes.

.,--Corrugated metal casings are especially adapted for well-strainers or casi s, which are frequently required to be carried down to a' depth of several thousanclfeet, and are subjected to very great pressures by reason of its rigidity and stren h for the weight of metal used. It is also a apted for drain tiles and culverts which are liable to be subjected to heavy weights and pressures, especially when they underlie road-crossings and railways. It is customary to join the ends of the sections'of the casing by means of rings or bands riveted thereto, or by means of other special connecting members, so that the casing may be lowered section by section into the well and constitute a continuous metal lining. v

Onefof the objects of my present invent-ion is to provide a sectional metal casing in which the sections or units can be directly connected or united to each other, without the necessity of using auxiliary connecting members. The advantages arising from my improvements are important in this art aside from the benefits to be derived from the elimination of the auxiliary connecting members. The sections may be more quickly joined, and the' completed casing is more symmetrical and uniform in external con-- j rigid structure and at the same time I may serve as an eificientstrainer when perforated to permit the passage of .water or oil. When the casing of a well-strainer or draintile passes through sand stratum, it is essent-ial that the very fine particles which pass Specification ot'Letters Patent. Patented 11, 1913, 1 Application filed March 16,1912. Serial in). 684,177.

through the perforations in the outer casing wall shall'be conducted through the inner casing wall and not be permitted tolod'ge f between the walls'or clog the a 'rtures, and ?my invention especially provi es for these conditions. I so arrange the structure that I the arts of the inner and outer casings contaimng the perforations shall be spaced from each other and that the intermediate parts i shall form strengthening ribs and mutually brace each other. Y

Under many conditions in well work, drainage, and irrigation it is desirable that the units or sections shall be uniform and interchangeable, the opposite endsbeing of different diameters so that the larger end of any section shall connect with the smaller end of the adjacent section. My invention enables thes'ections to bethus coupled and to be telescoped to a greater or less extent,

so that the casing may be substantially clusive, areelevations, partly in section, of

di-fierent forms of casings embodyingmy invention; Figs. Sand 9 are cross sectionsof casing sections showing different ways of forming the perforations in the casing.

In my present invention, each section or unit is provided with spiral corrugations,

which serve not only to greatly enhance the strength and 'rigidityot the casing, but con? itu ei e e m an of conne t ng t units or sections intoafcontinuouscasing.

When the casing serves as ,a'drainage conduit or a well-strainer or curbin the walls are perf rated, preferably in tie manner disclosedin my copending application,-- Serial Number 189,642, filed April 13, 1909.

In Fig. 1, I have shown an embodiment of my invention in which the duplex casing is formed of spirally corrugated outer sections 2, and inner sections or units 3, the corrugations of the inner sections being screwed into those of the outer-sections and these being arranged to break {oints so as to form a complete double-wa led casing. In order that there may be no danger o the perforations 4 5, in the outer and inner sections being closed, since it frequently happens that they will not be opposite, I provi e a space 6 between the walls of the casing by making the, recessed portions 8 bet-ween the corrugatlons of the outer tube shallower than the corresponding portions 9 of, the inner tube. Any sand or particles which pass through the outer perforations or slots, will pass into the space 6 and'thence through the inner perforations. To insure the passage of the sand from the spaces 6, the inner slots 5 are preferably larger than theouter slots 1.

.In case it is desired to provide an exceedingly rigid casing for a well or conduit without the drainage function, the sections may be formed, as in Fig. 2, in which the inner sections 3' and outer sections'2 fit'snugIy throughoutthei'r extent.' i

Under some conditions, as] when it is desirable to cement the space between the outer casing and the well bore, or. whenit'is desired, to leave drainage channels: between the outer and inner casing sect-ions, I provide. a duplexcasing with imperforate inner sections 10, and perforated outer sections 2, as shown in'Fig. 3. In this arrangement, I have shown the inner-sectionsformed of similar convex and concave portions, the latter cooperating with the outer walls to form'c'ontmuous channels 6 extending spirally around the casing.

When the perforations are not needed, both the inner section 10 and the outer section 2* are preferably formed of regular 489,642 filedApril 13, 1909, and 630,886 filed June 2, 1911, Patent No. 1,028,066, dated 5 May 28, 1912. In the form shown in Fig. drilling it is neoessary to rotate the casing in the construction of the well, and for this;

corrugations, the inner -and outer sections fitting closely throughout their extent, as shown in Fig. ,4=. In some forms of well purpose the casing units or sections may be provided with lugs to engage the rotary driving mechanism. I have shown, for purposes. of illustratio'n, in Fig. 4., at 7, the manner in which these lugs may be formed extending across the concavities of the easing. It will be understood that these lugs will be placed along the casing at such intervals as may be necessary to provide a suflicient number of engagements with the rotary driving mechanism.

, is thereb imparted to the pipe to resist lon- *g1tudina stresses.

the spiral ribs or corrugations have pro- In each of the forms previously described,

I jected outwardly. Under some conditions it 1s deslrable to have the outer surface of the .casing as smooth and re lar as possible, whLle still reserving the rlgidity of the, co

. rugated tu e. With this end in view, I con ,struct the units or sections in the manner I shown in Fi 6, in which the spiral corrugations pro ect inwardly, leaving spiral grooves 12in the exterior walls, alternating W1tl1 straight-spiral portions 14.

In Fig. 7, I have shown a construction similar to Fig. 6, in which both inner'and outer sections are perforated for drainage Ipurposes, and the parts are constructed to form a channel or space 6 between the perforated portions for the purpose previously described. When theslots in the inner and I outer sections of the casing are opposite each other, it may happen that, if the casing were subjected to great pressures, the slots might orti ons, resides in the greater stiffness w ich be distorted or even closed. By arranging the slots in the inner and outer sections at an angle to each other, as illustrated in Fig.

7, the perforated portions will reinforce each other in case of great pressures exerted thereon, and the casing perforations will always insure a passage fromthe' outer wall through the inner wall of the casing, so that the drainage will be maintained.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I have shown two dif 'ferent forms of slotted casings which may be employed, which I have previously disclosed in my applications, Serial Numbers 8, the metal is;preferably sheared while in the sheet -or plate, to form a plurality of slits, and the metal upon opposite sides of tubular casing, as shown in Fig. 8, the meeting edges being united either by welding electrically, 'or' by the oxyacetylene method or in any other manner of 'forming a joint or seam that may be desired, so thatthe casing'becomes an integral unit. In said application No. 630,886, I have described a method of forming a casing with V-shaped slots, such as illustrated in Fig. 9. 4

In all of the forms heretofore described, the inner section of the casing is of smaller diameter, so that it may be screwed into the corrugations of the outer-section. It is also desirable to use sections which are of uniform size, and which constitute boththe.

opposite halves may be more apparent, I

have shown the outer broken construction lines and have indicated in dotted lines an adjacent section over the smaller top half. This form of easing unit possesses many advantages for drainage and well casings. In deep wells, where great pressures are en countered, it is to be used as a duplex or double-walled casing, but in shallow wells I and in drainage work, where it is only necessary to employ a single thickness, the units are merely screwed a short length into each other sufficient to form a joint or connection.

In Fig. 11, I have shown another form, in which each section or unit tapers from one end to the other, and the smaller end of each section being adapted to telescopically screw into the larger end of the adjacent section by means of the spiral corrugations. It is obvious that when screwing one section into another, the first few turns will fit loosely, and will gradually become tighter until the inner unit or section has'reached substanthreading upon each other will fit tightly.

Each section, therefore, becomes an outsidemember for half its length and an inside member for the other half in the united casing. r

In Fig. 12, I have shown a casing formed of inner sections which taper from the center in both directions, and other sections which flare outwardly from the centerin both directions. In connecting these units together the in'ner and outer sections fit loosely and screw together very easily for a few turns, butmay be made to fit or wedge very tightly when the parts are completely telescoped. This construction forms an exceedingly strong and rigid casing, capable of resisting enormous pressures.

When the casing is used as a drainage tile or irrigating pipe, any of the forms previously described may be employed, but the form shown in Fig. 10, having opposite ends of different diameters,"is peculiarly Y adapted for this purpose because a singlewalled casing may be constructed. In. some cases it is desirable to perforate onl side or longitudinal half of the units as illustrated in Fig. 13. When the sections are connected to form the drainage tile, the perforations are arranged uppermost, so that the imperforate lower side may serve as a conduit to convey the water entering the perforations of the drainage casing or to be discharged outwardly through the perforations when the tile is used as a subirrigation pipe. As reviously pointed out, in using this form 0 unit, adjacent sections or units are connected by screwing the corrugations together for perhaps a couple of turns, thus making a. continuous singlewalled casing.

Instead of forming curved corrugations in the walls of the units, I may employ the angular or zigzag form shown in Fig. 14.

The important advantages of my 'present one.

invention in the art of well casings, drainageand irrigation tile, etc., will now be apparent to irrigation engineers and others skilled in these matters. The spiral corrugations not only constitute strengthening ribs, adding rigidity to the casing and forming overhanging abutments projecting beyond and protecting the perforated portions, but provlde a very superior means of connectlngthe sections or units 'into a con"- tinuous casing. of any desired length. By

this construction, I not only avoid the use of auxiliary connecting rings, but eliminate the danger of imperfect joints by reason of the stripping of the rivets in such connecting rings. The work of connecting the sections is very materially lessened, since it is merely necessary to screw one unit into'the Y next in order to securely unite the sections, and no riveting is required. Moreover the completed casing presents a uniform ex terior configuration, which is more -easily inserted into the bore of the well. Furthermore, when the double casing is employed, such as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, a continuous spiral channel is .formed between the inner and outer walls of the easing which greatly enhances the efficiency for drainage purposes. In the form shown in Fig. 3, when the bore of the well is cemented to shut off surface drainage into the well, the spiralchannel between the inner and outer casing walls facilitates the cementing process by allowing the cement which is forced up between the well bore and the casing, to enter the channel when obstructions are met, and to pass out again into the space between the well-bore and the outer pipe. This insures a perfect seal between the well-bore and the casing. This process of cementing andsealing the casings in the wells to shut ofi surface drainage is cat covered in my end application, Serial Number 685,665, ed arc 23,1912.

. While I have described in detail the constructions illustrated in the accom anying drawings for the purpose of disc osing a number of embodiments of my inventlon, 1t

is evident that changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of, m

. invention, and it is my purpose to cover a l such changes and modifications in my claims. It will be obvious to engineers that any of the forms of corrugated sections disclosed in the drawin s may be perforated and used for draina e purposes, and also that any of said forms may be imperforate and may be used for casings, conduits,

stacks, and for other purposes.

- I- claim I 1. A casing for wells or drainage puroses, comprising a tubular metal member having spiral corrugations extending longitudinally 'thereof and perforations intermelength thereof, said member having the opposite longitudinal halves of difi'erent' diameters, whereby it is adapted to telescope an adjacent member by screwing the corrugations of one member into those of the: other member.

3. A sheet metal casing for wells, conduits, or drainage purposes, comprising a tubular member having spiral corrugations extending longitudinal y thereof, said member being adapted to telescope an adjacent member by screwing the corrugations of one member into those of the other member, and having lugs upon the outer wall extending between adjacent convex portions to provide means for rotating the same.

4. A sheet metal drainage casing section provided with spiral corrugations extending continuously throughout the length thereof and with draining a rtures in the concave portions, the walls 0 each longitudinal half of said section tapering regularly throughout its extent.

5. A sheet metal drainage casing section provided with spiral corrugations extendin continuously throughout the length thereo said casing section having opposite longitudinal halves of different diameters, the diameter of one half being greater throughout its extent than the diameter of the other half, whereby a plurality of like sections may be connected into an extended casing of any desired length.

- 6. A duplex casing for wells, conduits, or, drainage purposes, comprising telescoping 'rugations sections, eachsection having spiral com gations extending longitudinally and ada ted to engage the corrugations of the to eto engage the corrugations of the telescoping section, the intermediate portions between thecorrugations of the outer section being spaced from the correspondin part of the inner section, whereby a spira ly extending cavity or space is provided between the walls of said sections, each of said intermediate portions being provided with perforations or slots.

8. A duplex casing for wells, conduits, or drainage purposes, comprising telescoping sections, each section having spiral corrugations extending'longitudinally and adapted to engage the corrugations of the telescoping section, the intermediate portions between the corrugationsof the outer section being spaced from the correspondin part of the inner section, whereby a spira y extending cavity or space is provided between the walls of said sections, each of said intermediate portions being provided with perforations or slots, the adjacent slots in, the inner and outer walls being arranged at difierent angles.

9. A duplex casing for wells, conduits, or drainage purposes, comprising telescoping sect-ions, each section having spiral corrugations extending longitudinally and adapted to engage the corrugations of the telescoping. section, said outer and said inner sections having in the intermediate portions between said corrugations smooth-walled slots providing channels, through the duplex walls of the casing. v

10. A duplex casing for ells, conduits,

or drainage purposes, comprising telescoping sections, each section being spirally corrugated throughout its entire length and adapted to thread the corrugations of the telescoping section, the joints between abutting outer sections and the joints between abutting inner sections. alternating with each other, so that the intermediate portions of each outer section and each inner section reinforce the joint intermediate of its ends.

11. A duplex casing for wells, conduits, or drainage purposes, comprising telescoping sections, each section havin spiral corextending longitu inally and adapted to engage the corrugations of the telescoping section, the intermediate portions between the corrugations of the outer section bein spaced from the corresponding part of the inner section, whereby a spirally extending cavity or space is provided between the walls of said sections, the intermediate portions of the outer sections being provided with perforations or slots.

12. A sheet metal casing comprising inner and outer telescoping sections, each section having spiral corrugations extending longitudinally and adapted to engage the corrugations of the telescoping section, the inner sections tapering from the center in opposite directions, and the outer sections flaring from the center in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW- 7 SMITH. 

